A very rare Momoyama Period masterpiece Japanese two-panel screen with chrysanthemum and other flowers and foliage. Exquisitely painted on gold leaf, with original sumptuous silk brocade. 72w x 21h inches, 183w x 53h cm.

Japanese Gosho Ningyo of Momotaro the Peach Boy. This wonderful Ningyo
represents Momotaro in a magical manner, his robes of chirimen silk crepe with painted designs of takaramono (sacred treasures) and peaches. He holds the pit of the peach in one hand and his banner with peach motif in the other. This is a wonderful ningyo, in great bright condition. Every aspect
is of the highest quality. He has a gorgeous face, beautifully rendered, and is wearing sumptuous silk brocades stretched on a carved wood body (kimekomi). He is wearing a court hat and has a sword at his side. His height is 11.5 inches (29 cm). The black lacquered stand is 11.5 x 8.5 inches (29 x 21.5 cm).

Japanese Meiji Period Gosho Ningyo of Jimmu, the First Emperor of Japan. This is a wonderful ningyo, in great bright condition. Every aspect is of the highest quality. He has a gorgeous face, beautifully rendered. He is wearing sumptuous silk
brocades, stretched on a carved wood body (kimekomi). He holds a bow and arrows. There are arrows in the quiver at his back, and a sword at his side. He is presented on his original lacquered stand. Height: 8.5 inches, 21.5 cm.

Japanese Late Edo Period very large rare pair of Musha Ningyo representing Empress Jingū (Jingū Kōgō) and the old minister Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding the baby
Ōjin (a son of the Empress Jingū who later became Emperor Ōjin) and is seated on a
camp stool. These are among the largest examples and are of the highest quality and
artistic workmanship. The heads and hands are carved of wood, covered with many
layers of tinted gofun (oyster shell lacquer), creating exceptionally expressive faces, with glass
eyes and silk hair. They are dressed in sumptuous silk brocade costumes. The armor is
made of lacquered paper with gilt metal fittings. Empress Jingū is standing
regally, hair tied back by a band, holding a fan and a bow, and a
quiver with arrows. Both have swords. Altogether an extraordinary presence. According to the Nihonshoki, Jingū was empress from 201 A.D.
to 269 A.D. She is known for her invasion of Korea while she was bearing her child. In order to delay her childbirth, a piece of rock was wrapped to her stomach. Jingu 29.5 inches (75cm), Takenouchi 27 inches (68.5cm), Ojin 10 inches (25.5cm).

Pair of Antique Japanese Monk Portraits. There is a reflection at the top of the painting on the left that makes it look like the mounting is cut off diagonally several inches from the top of the frame. Again, this is just a reflection, and the mounting is complete and is the same size as the painting on the right. As to be expected in paintings of this age, there are tears and loss in both paintings, including two long tears across the top of the painting on the right. Each frame: 53 x 24 inches (134.5 x 61 cm), each painting: 41 x 17 (104 x 43 cm).

15th Century Japanese Gilt Wood Amida Nyorai Buddha. His hands are held in the vitarka mudra, the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching.
Amida is captured here in his welcoming descent from Heaven to greet the soul of a faithful devotee at death. Images of his
descent to earth illustrate the nineteenth of forty-eight vows made by Amida
in a previous life, in which he promises to appear at the moment of death to
all beings who devoutly desire rebirth in his paradise. Painted and sculpted
versions of this theme first became popularized in Japan during the 11th
century and were placed near the deathbed of a devotee so that he or she
could see it. 30 inches, 76 cm.

Rare, Spectacular late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A musha ningyo (Boy's Day Ningyo) representing Toyotomi Hideyoshi in sumptuous gold court robes and armor, wearing an Eboshi winged hat and a fantastic sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the finest quality example from the late Edo Period. Incredibly carved face covered in many layers of gofun (oyster shell lacquer). Seated on a lacquered platform. Placed in front of a
screen as part of the presentation. The screen may be original to the piece. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) unified Japan after the Muromachi government lost control. The period of his rule, Momoyama is
named after Hideyoshi's castle.
15h x 22w inches, 38h x 56w cm.

Fantastic 18th Century Edo Period Saga Ningyo of a young boy
holding a bird. His head bobs while his tongue goes in and
out. Carved entirely of wood, his gorgeous robes are built up with pigments
in a technique called 'moriage'. He has an outer robe decorated with a foliate
scroll with other beautiful designs and geometric patterns raised in relief. This rarest of all Ningyo forms almost never comes up for sale and are
almost never seen except in museums or important private collections. Saga
Ningyo are considered the "holy grail" of Ningyo. They were first produced
in the early 17th Century. Height: 9 inches, 23 cm. Fine condition with original signed box and presentation pillow.

An extremely rare and very large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Iki Ningyo (living figure) of a young Bijin. An exquisite Ningyo representing idealized feminine Japanese beauty. She is posing as if for a photograph or for an artist. Every aspect is hyper realistic: the hair, eye lashes, accessories, and the painted kimono. She is holding a silver mirror and hair ornament as part of a collection of hair
ornaments featuring a lacquered comb. Her beautiful face changes from
different angles. Iki Ningyo in feminine form are rare; most are male forms. 27 inches, 68.5 cm.

18th Century Japanese Edo Period pair of Kyoho-Bina Ningyo, an exceedingly rare early 18th century. An exceptional example of this early style. The finest quality in all aspects, featuring rich silk matching brocades in an elegant floral pattern with auspicious treasures on multilayered robes creating a classical form. All accessories and stands are original, very rare for such an early piece. Fine faces of gofun (oyster shell lacquer) aged to a burnished tone, with painted details. They have a museum collection number. Kyoho-Bina are one of the earliest styles, and are the Tiffany of hina display dolls. Emperor: 18 inches (46 cm), Empress: 17 inches (43 cm).

Very Large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Ningyo pair of an Oiran Bijin, the highest ranking Kyoto courtesan bijin and her Kamuro (attendant), an elaborately attired pair of the finest quality. The Oiran and her attendant are wearing the most gorgeous, sumptuous brocades and textiles, all hand woven and painted chirimen silk crepe of beautiful shabori designs. The faces are exquisitely carved and covered with many layers of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer). Their expressions are just wonderful. Their fantastic hairstyles have an array of decorative ornaments. Her draping outer kimono (uchigake) is done in a beautiful floral pattern kinran design with a thick padded hem. There are endless exquisite details creating this masterwork. Mounted on a black lacquered stand. Oiran: 28 inches (71cm), Attendant: 20 inches (51 cm).